Extraordinary Shipping Container Homes

Housing constructed from shipping containers is economical, environmentally friendly, and quick to construct. In addition to being customized with every opulent comfort imaginable, these extra-tough pieces may be stacked in practically any configuration. The best container homes that think outside the box have been collected together, from metal mansions to chic industrial retreats.

1. Suburban container home, Queensland, Australia

Place Graceville

One of the biggest shipping container residences in the nation, this magnificent 6,000 square foot mansion outside of Brisbane, Australia, is constructed from 31 boxes. Its four enormous bedrooms, four bathrooms, a gym, and a saltwater pool were all designed by Ziegler Build.

Place Graceville

Todd and Diana Miller, whose former residence was badly damaged by the Queensland floods of 2011, commissioned the flood-proof building. For a house this big, the entire project took six months to complete, and Grand Designs Australia documented their journey.

Place Graceville

The architecture of this spectacular Australian residence, which spans three levels, incorporates a variety of other recycled materials in addition to the shipping containers, including salvaged wood, railroad sleepers, and old industrial machinery. Cost was a major factor in using the containers, as they provided considerably better value than regular home techniques.

Place Graceville

The walls of this corridor are lined with exposed corrugated sheeting and metal fittings, while the hardwood staircase, ceiling, and floor lend warmth to this unique family house.

2. Container mansion, Colorado, USA

Libby / airbnb

Normally, the idea of a shipping container home conjures up small, claustrophobic homes with little space, but not this beautiful home in Colorado. Five bedrooms, four bathrooms, and countless exquisite living spaces make up the distinctive house, which was constructed by local firefighters. Over 3,000 square feet make up this object.

Libby / airbnb

With their characteristic corrugated cladding prominently displayed on the exterior, nine shipping containers were utilized in the magnificent custom design. The rear of the house, which looks out over a planted garden complete with an upcycled BBQ station, has a beautiful turquoise stripe running across the upper story that we love.

Libby / airbnb

The spectacular open-plan living area is topped by 25-foot-high ceilings. While enormous sliding glass doors open up the inside to the yard, swathes of industrial iron frame the different zones. This level has two bedrooms, while the mezzanine walkway upstairs connects to three more bedrooms, including the opulent master.

Libby / airbnb

3. Googong container home, New South Wales, Australia

VERV Property

The owner of this stunning home in Googong, New South Wales, was motivated by the Australian adaptation of renowned British TV program Grand Designs. They intended to build a home with a wow factor, but they also wanted to highlight the originality and audacity of the materials they were utilizing.

VERV Property

Inside and out, you can see remnants of the original containers, which only enhances the house's stunning design. The masterpiece of architecture has two levels and is 1,578 square feet large. Reclaimed wood, steel, pressed metals, rose gold, and concrete were also employed throughout.

VERV Property

Nothing about this house is harsh or unattractive, though, and every internal room is warm, bright, and welcoming. The primary living areas of the house are upstairs to maximize views. While the top floor offers an open-plan kitchen and lounge, two balconies, and two additional bedrooms, the ground floor has a garage, a movie theater, two bedrooms, and a living area.

VERV Property

A star would undoubtedly be at home in the master suite, which is a true refuge. Because of its unusual open design, the bathroom is hidden behind a substantial wall that also serves as the headboard. The house was up for sale in August 2022 for a cool AUD$950,000, which is roughly $638,000 (£534k), and it was bought and sold within the same month. Such unusual conversion projects are uncommon, so we can't say we're surprised.

4. Woodside container home, Ohio, USA

Keith / airbnb

This cutting-edge masterpiece, which can be found in Millersburg, Ohio, in the heart of Amish country, demonstrates the elegance of green building design. The container home is made of six units that are neatly stacked one on top of the other to produce a beautiful two-story home. It was designed as the ultimate oasis in the middle of a woodland setting.

Keith / airbnb

A little spiral staircase that connects each of the home's stories was created to conserve valuable floor space. Inside, you'll discover 1,600 square feet of living area. There is a living room, an observatory nook, a dining area surrounded by windows, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms in addition to an industrial-style kitchen with walls and cabinets that complement the home's exterior materials and color scheme.

Keith / airbnb

The specialists at ShelterMode planned and built the stunning home, which is bold and gorgeous and perfectly complements its surroundings. The sloping bank of the plot was meticulously preserved and supported with sturdy foundations, and the use of natural wood on the outside further helps the property blend in with its surroundings. The landscape itself was also used in the construction.

Keith / airbnb

The house has numerous windows, some of which have exterior steel shutters to help keep the interior cool in the hot months, so there are also plenty of places where guests can take in the exterior beauty. There is also this magnificent bathroom, which includes a soaking tub by a window. The vacation home is accessible whenever you like if you feel like taking a dip here.

5. Two-storey container home, Queensland, Australia

Domain

With its angular lines and chic black exterior, this suburban Brisbane home appears to be little more than a modern family home from the outside. Take a peek around the back, though, and it quickly becomes apparent that this modern property isn't quite what it seems.

Domain

Two enormous shipping containers that were once up for auction through Domain have been skillfully incorporated into the house's framework to create spacious, open living quarters with a lot of flair. The internal zones can spill out into the garden thanks to the utilization of the steel units' original openings.

Domain

Although it may be made of an unusual material, comfort is the top focus in this luxurious two-story family home. It is a long cry from a dark, congested container, offering four opulent bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a cinema area. That's quite a change, I tell you!

Domain

Inside, the previous life of the repurposed house is constantly on display. Hairpin bar stools and exposed metal beams add to the industrial feel of this odd home, while white corrugated metal walls give the contemporary living room a raw, architectural interest.

6. Metal masterpiece, New South Wales, Australia

DiJones Real Estate

The township of Kangaroo Valley in New South Wales, Australia, is home to this metal marvel, which was created by renowned architect Alexander Michael. The modern home is quite remarkable with its exceptional style, mind-blowing interior, and many eco-credentials.

DiJones Real Estate

The mixture of structural steel, monochromatic furnishings, and vibrant pops of color naturally gives every space a cool industrial feel. The home's stunning finishing touches include double-height ceilings, glass walls, and striking interior design elements.

DiJones Real Estate

Four shipping containers, along with additional steel, glass, and polished concrete, were used to build the modern crib, which is tucked away on roughly five acres of property. The home's interior features two slow-burning fireplaces, a steel staircase, and an open-plan ground floor with a beautiful room and black and chrome kitchen.

DiJones Real Estate

There are four distinctive "pod" bedrooms upstairs, each with an own bathroom, sliding glass windows, and a view of the surroundings. The eco home is made entirely of salvaged materials, completely off-grid, and equipped with solar panels, a battery bank, and a rainwater harvesting system. One of the most captivating homes we've ever seen is this container home, which is stylish, gorgeous, and sustainable.

7. Containers of Hope, San Jose, Costa Rica

Andres Garcia Lachner

This shipping container house, built in Costa Rica not far from San Jose, was created by the architectural firm Studio Saxe for a family looking for a remote retreat. Unbelievably, the chic building was built on a tight budget.

Andres Garcia Lachner

An industrial-inspired modern dwelling made of staggered orange containers was constructed for about $40,000 (£32.9k). A cost-effective method of meeting the demand for affordable housing, the construction's cost is lower than that of social housing in Costa Rica.

Andres Garcia Lachner

Sliding glass doors in this light-filled bedroom let in plenty of natural light while framing gorgeous views of the breathtaking Costa Rican countryside. This cost-effective construction has enabled its owners to live debt-free in a serene natural setting. This is made possible by the use of recycled building materials and some ingenuity.

Andres Garcia Lachner

The home's cleverly sloped roof and floor-to-ceiling windows allow cool air to circulate and were designed with energy efficiency in mind. There is no need for air conditioning because this natural cross-ventilation system is perfect for such a humid climate.

8. Joshua Tree Residence, California, USA

Whitaker Studio

Work on this futuristic shipping container home, which was the brainchild of London designer James Whitaker of Whitaker Studio, will start later this year. The realistic representations of the home, which is located in the dry desert of California's Joshua Tree National Park, show a huge white edifice made up of numerous neatly angled container units, are so unearthly that they almost seem unreal.

Whitaker Studio

A kitchen, living room, and three bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms are all included in the floor plan. In order to safeguard the tenants' privacy and maximize the flow of light throughout the modern home, great attention has gone into how the shipping units are oriented.  The home's electricity will be produced by a garage next to the main building. It will be covered in solar panels. The distinctive home, which Chris Hanley, a movie producer, commissioned, was once listed for an astounding $3.5 million (£2.9 million), however the ad was later taken down.

Whitaker Studio

The inside, which spans 2,000 square feet, will have peculiar geometries and jutting angles that will carve out unorthodox living places. Picture windows that have been strategically placed will let light flood the building, bringing the desert vista into the modern areas.

9. Custom-designed house, South Australia, Australia

Sexton Glover Watts

This charming metal home, brimming with style, can be found in the South Australian hamlet of Nairne. The odd property, which was constructed utilizing four different shipping containers to create a roomy and distinctively designed layout, is situated in a genuinely gorgeous area.

Sexton Glover Watts

The unusually converted property is set out across two storeys and features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an open-concept living area with a lounge, dining area, and kitchen. The majority of the rooms have floor-to-ceiling sliding doors that can be opened to link the interior with the magnificent garden beyond.

Sexton Glover Watts

The original owners chose to leave the framework of the shipping containers exposed throughout the house in order to create a distinctive dwelling constructed of recyclable materials. The property has a sleek, streamlined appearance that is enhanced by plastered walls and monochromatic furnishings.

Sexton Glover Watts

One of the best rooms in the house is the master suite, mostly because of the breathtaking outlook. A spacious ensuite, a walk-in closet, a study area, and a private patio are all included. Reverse-cycle air conditioning and slow combustion heating are also advantages of the eco home for year-round comfort.

10. Air Castle Treehouse, Texas, USA

Steve / Airbnb

This incredible treehouse, also known as the Air Castle Treehouse, is located near Ladonia, Texas, and is hidden away on a sizable piece of ground. This one-of-a-kind house is made out of four shipping containers that were stacked on top of one another to form a long, thin vertical living space that spans four storeys and a horizontal part that ties the structure to the nearby trees.

Steve / Airbnb

The fantastic treehouse has a distinctive façade, with the original containers still sporting the brand logos and insignia from their prior days as cargo holds. A lengthy, meandering walkway that meanders through the trees and leads to a set of outside steps provides access to the interior. Additionally, there is a garage on the ground floor where bikes can be kept.

Steve / Airbnb

You will enter this spacious and welcoming home after climbing the stairs. This out-of-the-way cottage has a wonderfully welcoming feel with its rustic, farmhouse design. Two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a dining area are all connected by a steel stairway. Large picture windows, shiplap walls, and timber cladding are all featured in every room.

Steve / Airbnb

There are five external balconies available for visitors to enjoy, including one on the third story that has a screened porch and a hot tub. Of course, every room also has amazing views. There is a crow's nest at the top of the home. It is the ideal location to take in the surroundings because it is 50 feet above ground.

11. Container House, Colorado, USA

Braden Gunem

Two shipping containers flank a wedge-shaped structure in the middle of the land to make up the amazing cliffhanging residence. While the tall volume in the middle houses the main living zones and has a convenient loft positioned above, the containers on either side are allocated as sleeping or working zones.

Braden Gunem

This contemporary masterpiece, created by Tomecek Studio, is perched on the ledge of a rocky outcrop in the untamed wilderness of Colorado. The creative home's original floor plan makes the most of every square inch of space by using recycled materials and environmentally friendly technology in its design.

Braden Gunem

A spacious open-plan living area with a cozy wood-burning fireplace is the centerpiece of the 1,500 square feet of accommodations. While bursts of color interrupt the inside walls, designating the many functional spaces, the industrial metalwork has been kept exposed throughout.

Braden Gunem

The off-grid refuge is powered in part by solar photovoltaic panels, which assist to keep it warm and inviting even during the chilly winter months. In addition, thoughtfully placed windows and glazing ensure that the magnificent mountain vistas outside are always in view.

12. Desert dwelling, Arizona, USA

Compass

This eye-catching property, built from four recycled shipping containers, is full of individuality, spaciousness, and wow-factor. It was completed in 2018 after a 12-month construction phase in Phoenix, Arizona. Despite appearances, the interior of the residence bears little relation to the harsh metal of its one-of-a-kind façade.

Compass

The spectacular and distinctive property is 2,969 square feet in size and includes three bedrooms, four bathrooms, and light-filled living areas with an easy open-plan flow. Soaring ceilings, expanses of glass, and a crisp metallic color palette lend a discreet tribute to the home's origins in every area.

Compass

Every window in this building captures the beauty of South Mountain. The master suite also has access to a private terrace with unimpeded views of the surrounding nature. The ultra-modern residence also includes a separate home office with its own entrance, pre-plumbed kitchen space, and bathroom.

Compass